Oregon saw a 1.3% gain in manufacturing employment and a 3.5% increase in manufacturers, according to the 2007 Oregon Manufacturers Directory, an industry guide published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI) of Evanston, Illinois. MNI reports Oregon gained 2,884 manufacturing jobs and 211 plants since November 2005.

“Oregon added more than 20,000 manufacturing jobs over the past few years, making it one of the few states in the nation to recover from the downturn of 2001,” said Tom Dubin, President of MNI. “This resource-rich state is continuously creating new jobs, particularly in the lumber industries where outsourcing is not an option.”

Oregon is home to 6,161 manufacturing companies employing 240,857 workers, reports the Directory. MNI profiles both large and small Oregon manufacturers, including small start-up companies.

MNI’s study shows Oregon accounts for 8.9% of the Western region’s jobs, but only 1% of its plants. MNI data shows most Western states saw factory employment increases in 2006. Wyoming’s manufacturing jobs increased 4.9% this year, while Nevada was up 4.1%. Nebraska, Colorado, and Montana each gained 1%.

According to the 2007 edition, Portland remains Oregon’s industrial leader with 1,317 companies employing 52,245 workers. Hillsboro ranks second with 179 companies and 26,826 workers. Third-ranked Beaverton is home to 163 plants and employs 15,743. Eugene accounts for 406 plants and 13,474 jobs.

Manufacturers’ News reports Portland gained 60 plants this year, or 4.7%. Bend added 19 plants for a gain of 10%. Salem gained 8 companies, or 3%. Eugene and Albany were the only cities among Oregon’s top 10 losing plants this year.

MNI data shows Bend’s factory jobs were up 7% in 2006. Hillsboro companies added 6.5% more workers. Albany and Portland were the second and third-largest gainers, gaining 4.2% and 1.7%, respectively. Wilsonville lost 4.2% of its manufacturing employment and Beaverton was down 3.8%.

MNI reports the lumber sector accounts for the most Oregon plants with 881 such manufacturers listed in the new edition. Semiconductors and related devices represent Oregon’s largest industry by employment, accounting for 21,024 jobs. Sawmills and planing mills account for another 8,968 jobs.

Manufacturers’ News, Inc., publisher of manufacturers’ directories since 1912, compiles and distributes manufacturing guides, statistics and databases for all 50 states. For more information, call 847.864.7000.